Blizzard Celebrates Diablo’s 20th Anniversary With Hell Raising Crossover Gaming Event On 12/31
Certain moments in gaming sure can make a person feel old. The 20th anniversary of Blizzard's original Diablo game released on December 31, 1996, is one of them. To celebrate two decades of hellish hack and slash gameplay, Blizzard will place special in-game events and goodies into Diablo III and some of its other popular gaming franchises, including Heroes of the Storm, Hearthstone, Overwatch, StarCraft II, and World of Warcraft.
"These events and items will only be available for a limited time, so be sure to check them all out before they’re gone," Blizzard announced in a blog post.
Here is a small sample of what Blizzard has planned for each title over the coming month:
"These events and items will only be available for a limited time, so be sure to check them all out before they’re gone," Blizzard announced in a blog post.
Here is a small sample of what Blizzard has planned for each title over the coming month:
- Diablo III: Recapture the feeling of your first play through of the original Diablo with The Darkening of Tristram tribute event. Venture through a reimagined version of the original cathedral in Diablo III and keep an eye out for some familiar items.
- Heroes of the Storm: The battle for the High Heavens continues, and a new Diablo-themed portrait is up for grabs! Can you emerge victorious on this hectic new brawl map?
- Hearthstone: In this Tavern Brawl, a hooded stranger awaits, holding a grim deck in his hands. Will you unravel the secrets surrounding this dark wanderer?
- Overwatch: Bring the battle for Sanctuary into the fight for the future with in-game sprays representing your favorite Diablo III classes—along with a new player icon modeled after the Lord of Terror!
- StarCraft II: Put the Lord of Terror to work for you with a Diablo-themed worker portrait.
- World of Warcraft: Strange things are afoot in the world of Azeroth as denizens of Sanctuary cross over into an unfamiliar world.
Blizzard is celebrating twenty years of Diablo, and our other games are joining in the fun! Get the details: https://t.co/9vUubwu4Ya pic.twitter.com/xaConH7nrg
— Diablo (@Diablo) December 28, 2016
The bulk of what Blizzard is making available looks to be mostly player portraits, though the Tavern Brawl in Hearthstone hints at some better content. And of course the biggest Diablo-themed event will take place in Diablo III, that being The Darkening of Tristram. It is a reimagining of the first 16 levels of the original game, including four main bosses and a special graphics filter. That is something Blizzard announced at BlizzCon, noting at the time that it will deliver a "proper old-school Diablo experience."
Diablo was an instant hit when it was released in 1996. Reviewers and gamers pointed to the title's addictive gameplay and replay value, along with its online multiplayer aspect. Five years after its release, the game has sold more than 2.5 million copies worldwide.
Diablo was an instant hit when it was released in 1996. Reviewers and gamers pointed to the title's addictive gameplay and replay value, along with its online multiplayer aspect. Five years after its release, the game has sold more than 2.5 million copies worldwide.
